Home Holidays Christmas
Caroline StankoUpdated: Feb. 13, 2024
Ginger and cinnamon and nutmeg, oh my! Savor the spicy, smoky flavors that come out of these spice cookies.
Frosted Spice Cookies
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This recipe has been handed down through many generations of my husband's family. The cookies were always in his grandmother's cookie jar when he'd visit. Today, he enjoys them more than ever—and so do I. —Debbie Hurlbert, Howard, Ohio
Grandma's Christmas Spice Cutouts
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My great-grandmother made these, and the tradition was passed down in the family—without a written recipe! My mother would always start them the day after Thanksgiving, which was exciting for us kids, as we knew Christmas wasn’t far off. They are easy to decorate with family; my grandchildren always look forward to them.—Elaine Phelps, Cornell, Wisconsin
Browned Butter Spice Cookies
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If you like spice cake, you’ll love this recipe! Browned butter, dark chocolate and a splash of rum produce an unconventional spice cookie that’s guaranteed to please. —Kristin Kenney, Newport Beach, California
Spiced Christmas Cookies
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This delicious cookie recipe has been passed down through six generations and was brought to America from Germany in 1846! It's a holiday tradition in our house and we're proud to share this wonderful recipe with you. —Tanya Juhasz, Newberry, Florida
Dipped Gingersnaps
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I get tremendous satisfaction making and giving time-tested yuletide treats like these dipped gingersnaps. Dipping them in white chocolate makes much-loved gingersnaps even more special. —Laura Kimball, West Jordan, Utah
Spiced Eggnog Rum Cookies
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One year, when I had a lot of eggnog on hand, I created a new holiday cookie recipe. The flavor is subtle, but somehow the eggnog transforms regular sugar cookies into something exceptional for the holidays. —Mark Banick, Turner, Oregon
Pumpkin-Spice Sugar Cookies
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I've been making these quick and easy cookies for over 20 years. They're the first to go at our annual church bake sale.—Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Spiced Cappuccino Kiss Cookies
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This recipe combines two of my favorite flavors: coffee and cinnamon. You can always find them on my holiday treat trays. —Cynthia Messenger, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
German Spice Cookies
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These chewy spice cookies are great with coffee and taste even better the next day. The recipe has been a family favorite for more than 40 years.
Carrot Spice Thumbprint Cookies
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Carrot cake is a family favorite, and these delicious cookies with shredded carrots, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, cinnamon and cloves taste very similar. They’re even topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. With each cookie it feels as if you’re eating a piece of carrot cake, but no fork is needed! —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Soft Zucchini Spice Cookies
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These cookies are fantastic. They don't last very long at my house. Why don't you see how long they will last at yours? —Mili Seemar, Chatham, New Jersey
Carrot Cookie Bites
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This recipe is a longtime family favorite. The cookies are soft and delicious, and the aroma while baking is absolutely irresistible! I'm always being asked for the recipe. —Jeanie Petrik, Greensburg, Kentucky
Cinnamon Chip Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles
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I love cinnamon chips, and this is an intriguing way to use them. Make sure to stock up on them during the holiday season. —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
Chai Tea Sandwich Cookies
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You’ll love these cookies filled with a dreamy chai-infused ganache. They’re perfect after a meal, with a cup of tea, as a breakfast treat—or anytime at all. —Lauren Knoelke, Des Moines, Iowa
Chocolate Lebkuchen
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Having lived in Germany, I try to keep my German cooking as authentic as possible. This lovely lebkuchen recipe is a culinary Christmas custom. —Cathy Lemmon, Quinlan, Texas
Spiced German Cookies
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These buttery spice cookies are a cross between sugar cookies and gingerbread, creating the best of both worlds. —April Drasin, Van Nuys, California
Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
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It's so much fun to decorate cookies with children's help. We created gingery moose-shaped cookies to go with a book made especially for my niece's third-grade class. The crispy vegan gingerbread cookies stole the show. —Jenet Cattar, Neptune Beach, Florida
Spiced Toffee Cookies
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I bake these cookies for family gatherings because my crowd likes cookies thin and chewy with a crispy exterior. The toffee bits make a happy surprise.—Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Apricot Pinwheels
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I decorate my little spirals with vanilla icing, but they're yummy without it, too. Dried apricots and lots of spice give the cookies Old World flavor. —Beverly Sadergaski, Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Old-Fashioned Gingersnaps
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I discovered this recipe many years ago, and it's been a favorite among our family and friends ever since. Gingersnaps are timeless—a classic holiday cookie that's welcome year-round. —Francis Stoops, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Pumpkin Spice Cookies
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These big, soft spice cookies created by our staff have a sweet frosting that makes them an extra-special treat. Enjoy! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Coffee-Glazed Molasses Cookies
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I dreamed up these molasses cookies while sipping coffee and watching snow fall. The aroma from the baking cookies reaches all corners of the house. —Faith Ford, Big Lake, Minnesota
Oatmeal Molasses Crisps
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When I found this recipe in an Amish cookbook, I had to try it. It’s traditional in regions with Amish populations—Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Upper Midwest. Now it’s a staple for our family and the folks at our church fellowship, too. —Jori Schellenberger, Everett, Washington
Granny's Spice Cookies
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Granny always had a batch of these delicious, crispy cookies waiting for us at her house. When I miss her more than usual, I make these cookies and let the aroma fill my house and heart. —Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa
Cranberry Rugelach
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These traditional Polish treats will keep for a long time in an airtight container. One year, I sent a batch to my sister, but the box got lost. She received it 12 days later and reported that the cookies were worth the wait! —Jean Doxon, Omaha, Nebraska
Fruit 'n' Spice Rounds
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While I was looking for a way to use up an abundance of dates, I came across this recipe. Made with raisins, walnuts and a delectable lemon glaze, these cookies quickly became a family favorite. —Allison Bell, Helena, Montana
Molasses Cookie Mix
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These spicy, old-fashioned treats are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. For holiday gift giving, I put a batch of this cookie mix in an attractive basket along with the recipe and a festive tea towel. —Barbara Stewart, Portland, Connecticut
Gingerbread Cookies with Buttercream Icing
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When it’s time to start the cookie-baking season, this recipe always kicks off the festivities. My mother-in-law first shared it with me, but it’s too good to keep to myself! You can tint the buttery gingerbread cookie icing a cheery pink or green and pipe it on with a decorating tip. —Ann Scherzer, Anacortes, Washington
Big Soft Ginger Cookies
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These nicely spiced, big soft ginger cookies are perfect for folks who like the flavor of ginger but don't care for crunchy gingersnaps. —Barbara Gray, Boise, Idaho
Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
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I packed chocolate chips, raisins, nuts and cinnamon into my oatmeal cookie recipe. These soft cookies are easy to make. Best of all, our kids love them! —Janis Plageman, Lynden, Washington
Ginger Thins
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I like to serve these special treats with lemon curd or lemon sherbet, either of which it complements the ginger flavor. —Eleanor Senske, Rock Island, Illinois
Spiced Almond Cookies
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These cookies are my all-time favorite! The recipe has won ribbons at fairs and applause from family and guests alike. One of the reasons I like it is that I can make the dough and freeze it. Then, when I need another batch of cookies, I take a "log" out of the freezer, thaw it and make fresh cookies in minutes. —Wanda Daily, Milwaukie, Oregon
Giant Spice Cookies
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I heard this cookie recipe over the radio about 1950—shortly after my husband and I married. The big spicy treats are so nice and chewy, they remain my favorite to this day. —Sandy Pyeatt, Tacoma, Washington
Spiced Molasses Doughnut Cookies
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I don't know where this recipe came from, but my family has been making these cookies for four generations. I am from upstate New York, and I haven't met anyone who has heard of doughnut cookies outside of that area. But when folks try these, they love them! —Brenna Phillips, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Gingerbread Men Cookies
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No holiday treat platter would be complete without gingerbread men cookies! This is a tried-and-true recipe I'm happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Pumpkin Spice Cutouts
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Through all the years I've been baking, I’ve never come across a pumpkin cookie recipe that you can actually cut out with cookie cutters. (Most I’ve found are drop cookies.) Each bite tastes just like pumpkin pie—delicious! —Marion Kearley, Ladner, British Columbia
Originally Published: November 14, 2018
Caroline Stanko
Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.
